The Film Daily (1947)

IHEl WfU DAILY Monday, December 22, 194'' 10% of Paramount Pi( Earnings from Abroad (Continued from Page 1 ) during the year by the acquisition of Liberty Films and Rainbow Productions, Balaban pointed out, observing, "Nothing could give more promise of our future well-being because, fundamentally, it is the quality of our pictures which determines the success of our operations." Paramount exchanged 187,667 shares of its common stock for the outstanding securities of Liberty and Rainbow, and has 411,433 shares left in the treasury. "These shares," he commented, "with additional shares which may be acquired, will be at hand for the purchase of other interests which would strengthen the company." During 1947 Paramount drew $10,000,000 of the $25,000,000 revolving fund loan arranged for in June with the First National Bank of Chicago, Manufacturers Trust Co. of New York and Bankers Trust Co. Company is paying off $2,000,000 of that loan this year and will make further payments during 1948, Balaban stated. The Paramount president pointed out that the company has made solid contributions in the field of television and, he said, "it is our intention to continue to devote substantial energies and resources to its advancement and improvement." He described the television pictures as "encouraging" from the standpoint of the success of Paramount's activities in the field and from the standpoint of the growth of video as a means of communication and entertainment. Balaban's letter was in connection with the 50 cents per share quarterly dividend payable Friday. It was longer than most messages of that type, he said, because of many letters of inquiry from Paramount stockholders about the condition of the company. Ohio ITO Okays ASCAP Plan Columbus, O.— ITO of Ohio approved National Allied's plan to fight ASCAP demands for higher fees at a special board meeting here. Defense plan will be made available to members on a voluntary basis, P. J. Wood, executive secretary, announced. MA Locals Give Way To Lott Candy Co. With the Loft candy company taking over the building at 251 W. 42nd St. for its own use, lA unions housed there have to move out in the next few weeks. First to lead the exodus are Locals H-63 (home office workers) and Local 52 (studio mechanics) which move their respective headquarters to 204 W. 55th St., today. Projectionists' Local 305 is the other lA union that will have to move. HOLLVUJOOD-VinE VflRD Br RALPH wax HOLLYWOOD nARA. is planning a Spring vehicle for Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald, "Diamond in the Haystack," which Edmund Beloin is writing and Robert Welch will produce. ... -^ First picture to start in '48 at that studio will be "Abigail, Dear Heart," with Claude Rains, MacDonald Carey and Wanda Hendrix. ... -^ Susan Hayward has obtained a release from Walter Wanger to co-star with Robert Montgomery in U-I's "The Saxon Charm." . . . ■^ Lillian Gish, Dane Clark, Allyn Joslyn and Rex Ingram join Ethel Barrymore and Gail Russell in Republic's "Moonrise." ... -^ Peggy Ann Garner will go on a country-wide tour as the star of "Pick-Up Girl," the Elsa Shelley play which was on B'way in 1944. . . . • * * [kyjICHAEL CURTIZ is paging Walter Huston for one of the top roles in "The 49'ers," his next indie film for Warner release. ... ^ Discarding modern means of transportation, movieland film stars will ride in Santa Claus' famed sleigh to the charity premiere of "The Bishop's Wife" in H'wood Xmas night. ... ^ Warner Baxter has presented the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with a print of the first all-talking outdoor film, "In Old Arizona," produced by Fox in 1929. Edmund Lowe and Dorothy Burgess were featured along with Baxter. ... -^ Gene Raymond and Noreen Nash will head Eagle Lion's "Assigned To Danger." . . . United States Pictures is planning a re-make of the Warner hit, "Four Daughters," for Warner release. The new pix will be called "Sister Act," and a tentative cast includes Dick Haymes, John Payne, Gloria De Haven, Dinah Shore, Doris Day and Eleanor Powell. . . . Film Classics Will Enter Production (Continued from Page 1) to Trem Carr, Monogram's production chief, will act as Bernhard's West Coast production aide. Bernhard also announced that with the completion of the Nassour Studios, administration building, all production activities for Film Classics will emanate from there, with the establishment of FC's own studios. Stern, Levy Named In Fraud Actions U. K. Joint Film Council For Consultation Only London (By Air Mail) — Joint Film Production Council proposed by the Board of Trade will act only in a consultative capacity, it is learned. Chief object of the proposed organization would be to keep Government departments fully informed of what is being done in the studios and to insure that the fullest use is made of available studio space, it was explained at a Producers' Association conference. "Castile" Will Be Released At Regular Prices (Continued from Page D city dates has already been set for Christmas week for the Technicolor production, described as one of the most important pictures ever made by the company. Release of the picture will be backed by an extensive national advertising-publicity campaign. (Continued from Page 1) Stern, Abram H. Levy, their associates and the exhibitor corporations controlled by them. Suit is similar to actions instituted some time ago against the defendants in New Yoi'k Supreme Court by Paramount, 20thFox and Warners. Complaints allege that statements of receipts were false and that defendants were induced to agree to lower license fees for flat rental as well as percentage pictures. Exemplary or punitive damages are sought, in addition to the amounts of which the distributors claim they were deprived. Actions were filed by Louis Nizer of Phillips, Nizer, Benjamin & Krim. Paramount complaint asks damages of $15,000; 20th-Fox, for $85,000, and Warner for $20,000. Loew's action asks that damages be ascertained, in the customary Federal Court form. Festive Tele Programs Are Being Readied for Holiday Video Christmas programming this year on the Eastern seaboard will be rife with festive and imaginative features, ranging from traditional caroling and religious services to toyland revelry with Santa and the children. Highlight of the Day's features will be a pooled pickup of the traditional lighting of the White House Christmas Tree by President Truman which is expected to be carried by all stations in five cities. Tie ITO Charter to Britisli Exhib. Quota (Continued from Page 1) the outcome of the ITO discussion:; now under way in Havana. Trade experts pointed out that un der the ITO charter drafted iri Geneva and subscribed to by Grea: iBritain, exhibitor quotas are limiteci :o those existing on April 10, 1947, Jritain made no attempt to set i. more satisfactory period. It is thought here that the British purposely left the quota percentages open in the new Films Act until the results of the Havana conference are made known. It was noted, however, that the British Government may provide a loophole in the new Films Act. The new Act provides that a special high rate will be established for large circuit theaters. It may be that since this special quota was not established on the yardstick date set in Geneva, the British may be able to increase the percentage. There is always a chance, of course that the British may seek to amenc Article 19 of the ITO Charter providing for screen quotas. There have 'oeen no reports that the British havej vhis in mind, however. The ITO charter agreed to al Geneva establishes the principle oi screen quotas to protect native filw industries. Other restrictions, however, are banned, including the distributor quota principle. In the event that the ITO agreement is passed ir Havana and approved by the British (l^vernment, the U. K. would be bound, of course, by its provisions And under provisions now accepted^ exhibitor quotas in general would be limited to those existing on April IC of this year. Army Appoints Lawler Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAliy Washington — Dan Chance Lawler New York film agency official, has been appointed supervisor of production of U. S. Army orientatior films to be used in occupied countries Sponsor to See Video Show via CCTA Relay Lancaster, Pa. — Executives of Hamilton Watch Co. will be able to see the Christmas Day television show they will sponsor over NBC through the co-operation of the Canastogo County Television Association, a group of television operators from the engineering staff of the RCA tube plant here. Operating under an experimental FCC license. Association has erected a relay station 20 miles from here and receivers have been installed in the RCA cafeteria, so that the Hamilton executives can see the program as picked up by the relay station from WPTZ, NBC affiliate in Philadelphia. ft